New Year 2027 Countdown — Tokyo
New Year 2027 arrives in Tokyo (JST, UTC+9) on Friday, January 1, 2027 at midnight. Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times in the ancient Joya no Kane tradition, while crowds gather at Meiji Shrine for Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year.
AT A GLANCE
- Timezone
- Japan Standard Time (JST)
- UTC Offset
- UTC+9
- Midnight arrives
- Friday, January 1, 2027 at 12:00 AM JST
- Celebration order
- 4th of 25 cities to celebrate
until midnight in Tokyo (JST, UTC+09)
About
New Year's Eve in Tokyo
Tokyo marks the New Year with Joya no Kane, a Buddhist bell-ringing ceremony in which temple bells across the city are struck 108 times to purify worldly desires and welcome the year ahead.
The 108 strikes — one for each bonno (worldly desire) in Buddhist teaching — begin just before midnight and continue into the early hours. Meiji Shrine, Tokyo's most famous Shinto site, receives over three million visitors during the first three days of January for Hatsumode, the traditional first shrine visit of the New Year.
Tokyo's celebration is quieter than many Western cities. Families gather for osechi (traditional New Year dishes) and toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles). Younger crowds celebrate at parties in Shibuya, Roppongi, and Odaiba, where fireworks and concerts offer a more modern alternative.
Tokyo's New Year (Oshogatsu) is one of the most important holidays in Japan. Unlike the Western party-focused celebration, it centers on reflection, family gatherings, and spiritual rituals. The Joya no Kane bell-ringing at Buddhist temples begins just before midnight.
The 108 bell strikes represent the 108 worldly desires (bonno) in Buddhist teaching that cause human suffering. Each strike is meant to purify one desire, ushering in the New Year with a clean spiritual slate.
Meiji Shrine in Tokyo receives over three million visitors during the first three days of January for Hatsumode — the traditional first shrine visit of the New Year. It is one of the most-visited sites in Japan during this period.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is New Year in Tokyo?
New Year arrives in Tokyo at midnight Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9). In 2027, that is 15:00 UTC on December 31, 2026.
How does Tokyo celebrate New Year's Eve?
Tokyo's celebration is more spiritual than festive by Western standards. Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times (Joya no Kane), families gather for special foods (osechi), and millions visit shrines for Hatsumode, the first visit of the year.
What is Joya no Kane?
Joya no Kane is the Buddhist New Year's Eve bell-ringing tradition. Temples ring their bells 108 times — once for each worldly desire in Buddhist teaching — cleansing the old year's impurities before midnight.
What time zone is Tokyo on New Year's Eve?
Tokyo is on Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9) year-round. Japan does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Is Tokyo one of the first or last cities to celebrate New Year?
Tokyo is the 4th of 25 cities to celebrate. At UTC+9, it celebrates relatively early in the 26-hour global celebration window.
What is the most famous New Year venue in Tokyo?
The most iconic New Year's Eve venue in Tokyo is Meiji Shrine. Joya no Kane — Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times to welcome the New Year.
What time should I tune in to watch Tokyo's New Year celebration?
Tokyo's New Year celebration peaks at midnight JST (UTC+9). That is Friday, January 1, 2027 at 12:00 AM JST. Check local broadcast listings for live coverage.
What is Hatsumode?
Hatsumode is the Japanese tradition of making the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year. Meiji Shrine in Tokyo is the most popular destination, receiving over three million visitors in the first three days of January. Visitors pray for good fortune, buy charms, and draw omikuji (fortune slips).